Saints related to Patron-of-penitent-women

St. Margaret of Cortona was born in 1247. She eloped with a nobleman after her father remarried. Her lover died nine years later, and she and her son took refuge with the Franciscan Friars in Cortona. She became a Franciscan tertiary and cared for the sick poor, later forming a congregation of Tertiary Sisters known as le Poverelle and founding a hospital. She died in 1297.

Christ cleansed St. Mary Magdalene of seven evil demons, which began her repentance and love for Christ. She is the woman who washed Jesus's feet with her tears and anointed them with expensive perfume. She is also the woman who went to the tomb and saw Jesus.